Rangers captain James Tavernier has emphasized the importance of teammate Todd Cantwell maintaining a disciplined central position, following Cantwell’s standout performance in Tuesday’s 2-1 victory over Aberdeen.
Cantwell, who operated in his preferred central role during the match at Ibrox, showcased what many consider to be his best performance under the management of Philippe Clement. However, Tavernier revealed that he consistently advises the 25-year-old to stay focused on his positioning in the No.10 role.
In an interview with the Glasgow Times on 7th February, Tavernier praised Cantwell, stating, “Todd’s doing really well. I always get on his case about being in the No.10 position and staying in the middle of the pitch. If he does that, he gets in the right positions for us and he gets the goals. He can be a real impact player for us. He’s been in really good form.”
Cantwell, who faced challenges in the initial months of the campaign, seems to have found his stride recently, contributing goals in five of Rangers’ last seven matches, including victories against Aberdeen and Livingston.
Reflecting on Cantwell’s development, Tavernier acknowledged, “He’s really starting to find his feet now after a rather underwhelming time of things in the first three months of the campaign.”
The Norwich City ex-player has been instrumental in recent successes, but Tavernier reminded of past instances when Cantwell’s positioning led to substitutions. During that period, Clement was experimenting with Cantwell’s optimal role, considering options on the wing or through the middle. Despite these early challenges, Cantwell’s recent performances indicate a growing understanding of his role within the team.